diff --git a/core/includes/bootstrap.inc b/core/includes/bootstrap.inc
index 5ecb4d6ae9..d05298d4bf 100644
--- a/core/includes/bootstrap.inc
+++ b/core/includes/bootstrap.inc
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
  * message, but Drupal can still be installed. Used for (e.g.) PHP versions
  * that have reached their EOL or will in the near future.
  */
-const DRUPAL_RECOMMENDED_PHP = '7.1.7';
+const DRUPAL_RECOMMENDED_PHP = '7.1';
 
 /**
  * Minimum recommended value of PHP memory_limit.
diff --git a/core/modules/system/system.install b/core/modules/system/system.install
index 1f1227be66..ef6f124f51 100644
--- a/core/modules/system/system.install
+++ b/core/modules/system/system.install
@@ -164,9 +164,6 @@ function system_requirements($phase) {
   // which Drupal has already or will soon drop support.
   $phpversion = $phpversion_label = phpversion();
   if (function_exists('phpinfo')) {
-    // If the site is running a recommended PHP version and has the phpinfo()
-    // function enabled, add a link to the phpinfo() to the description of the
-    // PHP version.
     if ($phase === 'runtime') {
       $phpversion_label = t('@phpversion (<a href=":url">more information</a>)', ['@phpversion' => $phpversion, ':url' => (new Url('system.php'))->toString()]);
     }
@@ -196,7 +193,7 @@ function system_requirements($phase) {
   //   once each is set.
   // @see https://www.drupal.org/project/drupal/issues/2927344
   if ((version_compare($phpversion, DRUPAL_RECOMMENDED_PHP) < 0) && ($phase === 'install' || $phase === 'runtime')) {
-    $requirements['php']['description'] = t('Your PHP installation is running version %version. It is recommended to upgrade to version %recommended or higher to ensure your site remains secure and continues to receive updates. See <a href="http://php.net/supported-versions.php">PHP\'s version support documentation</a> and the <a href=":php_requirements">PHP requirements handbook page</a> for more information.', ['%version' => $phpversion, '%recommended' => DRUPAL_RECOMMENDED_PHP, ':php_requirements' => 'https://www.drupal.org/docs/8/system-requirements/php']);
+    $requirements['php']['description'] = t('Your PHP installation is running version %version. Support for this version will be dropped in a future Drupal release. Upgrade to PHP version %recommended or higher to ensure your site continues to receive Drupal updates and remains secure. See <a href="http://php.net/supported-versions.php">PHP\'s version support documentation</a> and the <a href=":php_requirements">Drupal 8 PHP requirements handbook page</a> for more information.', ['%version' => $phpversion, '%recommended' => DRUPAL_RECOMMENDED_PHP, ':php_requirements' => 'https://www.drupal.org/docs/8/system-requirements/php']);
     $requirements['php']['severity'] = REQUIREMENT_WARNING;
   }